In a world filled with endless distractions, maintaining focus and productivity can be a task in itself. Whether you have ADHD or find yourself procrastinating on the regs (hi friends, you’re safe here!) - body doubling can help you overcome these challenges.
At The Re:Purpose Club, we’ve seen the magical powers of body doubling first-hand. In the midst of 6+ months of voice notes and video calls, we have realised that there was a common thread with many of our clients and ourselves: a deep desire for community and a serious need for accountability.
We started having a weekly co-working session to connect & crack on with the things that were just lurking around on our to-do lists, and it has been a game changer. For us, body doubling is an extremely transformative tool that enhances our ability to stay focused, overcome distractions, and feel accomplished.
Understanding Body Doubling
Body doubling is the practice of doing your work or tasks in the presence of others. The concept behind this technique is based on the idea that by having someone else around while you work, you are more likely to stay focused and productive. This method is not limited to any specific field or profession and can benefit anyone who needs to commit to periods of concentration.
Body doubling is particularly recommended for people with ADHD. The presence of another person can serve as a source of external accountability, helping those with ADHD stay on track with their tasks. It provides a supportive and safe environment that minimises the likelihood of getting distracted and promotes a structured work routine.
Triggering Mirror Neurons
One of the underlying mechanisms behind body doubling is the activation of mirror neurons.
Mirror neurons are specialised cells in the brain that fire both when we perform an action and when we observe someone else performing the same action, so it’s basically a really productive game of Simon Says.
By observing others engaged in focused work, our mirror neurons are triggered, prompting our brains to follow suit. This phenomenon can be harnessed through body doubling to improve our own focus and productivity.
Creating an Attention Anchor
Another benefit of body doubling is the creation of an attention anchor. This is a sensory cue or mental trigger that helps refocus your attention and signals your brain that it's time to concentrate. When you consistently engage in focused work sessions with a body double, your brain starts associating their presence with productivity. Over time, their mere presence becomes a powerful signal to your brain to enter a focused state.
This is exactly what happens at The Co:Work Club. You find your mind on a wander and then the realisation hits that there’s a whole bunch of people also on screen whilst you’re working and it brings you straight back. Your very own attention anchor!
The Power of Accountability
Body doubling involves sharing your intentions and commitments with another person. At the start of our Co:Work Club sessions we all share the one task that we will be working on that week.
Research has shown that when you openly state your goals and intentions to others, your chances of success increase significantly.
In fact, a study conducted by Dr. Gail Matthews at the Dominican University of California found that individuals who shared their goals with a friend increased their likelihood of achieving those goals by up to 95%. (I know right, we were shocked too).
The act of verbalising your intentions to a body double not only provides external accountability but also reinforces your own commitment to the task at hand.
In a world full of distractions and competing demands for our attention, body doubling offers a practical and effective strategy to enhance focus and productivity. By working in the presence of others, triggering mirror neurons, creating an attention anchor, and harnessing the power of accountability, body doubling can be a game changer for those with ADHD, as well as all of the procrastinators and perfectionists out there.
If you fancy giving body doubling a whirl then come and join us at the Co:Work Club! We meet every Thursday at 11:30am (UK time) on Zoom for an hour of getting-shit-done. Co:Work Club is a space for community and accountability, show up exactly as you are for some deep work and let us cheer you on.
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